Moving: Kids impromptu haka in tribute to 2 of their peers slain in Christchurch shooting (Twitter):

[fleur-de-lisa]

A haka is a ceremonial dance or challenge in Māori culture.

Link to tweet

[murielm99]

1. Makes me cry.

[japple]

15. Me too. It just pulls up emotions from the very depths of my

soul.

[tblue37]

17. Me, too. I was surprised that it did that to me. I think it was the depth and honesty of their

emotions--their sorrow and their desire to do anything they could, since they couldn't do anything about the massacre itself.

[backtoblue]

2. This generation of kids just may save us all...

They rise together from violence and pain through creativity, empathy, and action.
It's both heartbreaking and heartmending at the same time.

[lillypaddle]

3. Beautiful tribute

tears.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

4. Powerful tribute.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Jesus. I can't get through one of these without crying.

[Lefta Dissenter]

6. OMG

[Karadeniz]

7. I see girls are also performing. I wonder when/where they start to learn the routine.

A little while back someone posted a haka at a boy's school. There must've been a couple hundred uniformed kids acting as one while their teacher's hearse slowly passed through the schoolyard. It's great that everyone has this way to express solidarity.

[WeekiWater]

11. From what I've read, women and children began taking part in a limited way in the late 1800's.

When it started taking on a much larger role than it originally did. It was around that time that the dance started being used for a lot of things. Today it is done by a lot of women every year as it's what the fans for numerous soccer clubs do before and during games.

[Aristus]

18. Hula is similar to the haka in that it started as a man's dance

and as part of Hawaiian warrior culture. Like haka, it consisted of chanting, dancing, muscle-flexing, and other forms of intimidation.

When women began dancing hula, it developed more of a storytelling angle, with swaying hips, windmilling arms, and a gentler presentation.

I didn't know that haka had female adherents, too.

[burrowowl]

8. K&R

[mtngirl47]

9. Tears in my eyes. n/t

[bluescribbler]

10. Young woman at the end

Looks fierce. I want her to be on my side.

[Hekate]

12. You do not want to see that coming at you on the battlefield. nt

[Hekate]

13. This absolutely has me in tears. What a show of fierce unity.

The other haka tribute would never load for me; I'm glad I got to see this one.

[majdrfrtim]

14. Is there such a thing as

PROJECTILE TEARS?

[Cousin Dupree]

16. Their reverence for their roots is what always gets to me when I see the young people

perform a haka. It’s a beautiful thing.

[davsand]

19. Thoughts and prayers are lacking next to this.

Sadly, another nation has experienced the death and sadness that has been such a part of the American culture for far too long. I wondered when this happened, what would be the response of a different nation. They have risen to the challenge, and I hope that one day the US will too.

May Allah give them an easy and pleasant journey and shower blessings upon their graves.

Laura

[Quayblue]

20. Tears nt

[TomSlick]

21. Beautiful.

I love how NZers of all backgrounds have adopted the Haka as part of their national culture. What a great way to express emotions.